OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 731, 26 September 1870, Page 2

OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

If Christchurch boating men\continue the season with spirit equal to that which characterised the inaugural ceremony of Saturday, they will deserve more commendation than has been due to them for some time. During 1869-70 and some of the previous seasons, a strange degree of inconsistency marked the two. The opening day on each ocoasion was attended with the greatest eclat, but the after proceedings of the seasons were complete failures. Practice was but little indulged in, and never with that vigour and energy so necessary to success, however small, in aquatics. Last season was perhaps the worst in this respect, and the result is that Christchurch, though possessing good boats, holds at the present time but a questionable position in rowing matters. The clubs are themselves fully sensible of this, and do not seek to deny their want of esprit in some of the past seasons ; but are generally determined that before another recess they will be more meritoriously plaoed. We sincerely trust they may, and that not only will Regattas be carefully prepared for, but that many independent matches may be rowed. These latter are the more desirable, because the advisability of sending a crew to the Sydney Regatta has been already mooted, and Bhould the project assume a tangible form, good means should be afforded for selecting the best provincial four to be obtained. Of Saturday's gathering there cannot be a division of opinion. Whether judged by the muster of boating men, the tone of the general proceedings on the river, or the assemblage of spectators on the banks, it must be pronounced a conspicuous success. The only matter open to exception was the strong chilling north-east wind which prevailed from noon. This interfered much with the general enjoyment both to the observed and the observers; for during the time occupied in marshalling the procession of boats, the crews in their thin Guernseys suffered much from the cutting wind, whilst those on land, being directly facing it when watching the movements on the river, were positively shivering with cold. There was no shelter to be obtained, and the sun, though shining brightly, was only felt during a temporary lull in the gale. The proceedings were announced to commence shortly after two o'clock, at which time a small cannon, lent and superintended by Mr Hesketh, was fired to announce that active preparations for the ceremony had commenced. Club members in full uniform were in strong force at an early hour, and but a slight examination v of 'he distinguishing colours served to Bhow that the local representatives were strongly supplemented by their Port and country comrades. Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, and the new club recently formed at the Heathcote were each contributors to the muster, but more noticeably the latter, which sent thirteen men and two boats — a circumstance which speaks well for the spirit of so young a club. Lyttelton sent five men, and Kaiapoi two, but no boats. Almost as early to muster as the boating men were the spectators, of whom the fair sex composed by far the greater portion. The high bank of the river facing the boat sheds was speedily covered in every favourable place, and not a few carriages and traps formed a background to those on the summit. The boat sheds, true to aquatic principles, were fully attired in gala costume with a string of flags spanning the river immediately in front, and a fair amount of bunting was also displayed on shore. Altogether, therefore, the ensemble was very good, the view from the north side of the stream being particularly striking. The general effect was also much enhanced by the spirited strains of the Cavalry band, which the managing committee had thoughtfully engaged for the amusement of visitors during the intervals in the proceedings. The first event of the day was the launch and christening of a four oar cedar built boat for the Union Club. The latter was performed by Mrs Rolleston on the landing stage of the club, his Honor the Superintendent and a small party of ladies and gentlemen being present, After bestowing the customary libation of champagne, Mrs Rolleston named the boat ''The Elfin," expressing a hope that it might prove the winner of many cups. A hearty round of cheering followed, and Mr Ollivier then stepped forward to thank Mrs Rolleston for the favour she had conferred in naming the boat. He said the club felt deeply indebted to her for voluntarily performing the ceremony, and he heartily endorsed the hope she had expressed. He concluded by calling upon those present to drink Mrs liolleston's health which was readily compliad with, and three cheers given. His Honor than ted those present on behalf of Mrs Rolleston, adding he was sure that much pleasure had been experienced by Mrs Rolleston in

christening the boat. Mrs Rolleston next proceeded to present the prize cups won by five of the Canterbury Club boys in a match with five of Avon Club boys, rowed at the last Lyttelton Regatta. Their names were J. Callender, A. Stedman, A. S. Macfarlane, W. E. Webb, and W. Callender. The receipt of the prizes was acknowledged, and the health of the defeated crew proposed by the first named on the list. Mr E. W. Roper (Lyttelton Club) next proposed the health of his Honor the Superintendent, remarking that he was always ready to promote boating, and was in fact the President of one of the Christchurch Clubs. His Honor acknowledged the compliment, saying that as he was an active member of a boating club, when at Cambridge, it was only natural that he should take an interest in aquatics here. This concluded the first portion of the proceedings, and the boats which had now been out for some time, were got in order for the procession as quickly as possible. Whilst so engaged the Iris, a fouroar, was unfortunate enough to capsize under the north bank, but the crew escaped with nothing more than a good wetting waist high. A little before three o'clock Mr Harman, by dint of great care, succeeded in getting the flotilla of boats into their allotted places, and the procession was started in the following order : — Scullers — Messrs Dawßon, Piper, and Wood ; Pair-oars — The Stranger (H.R.C.) ; Avon ((J.R.C.); Undine (U.R.CO ; Iris (T.R.C ; Cygnet (C.R.C.J ; Swan (C.R.C.) ; Elfin (U.R.C.) ; Phosphorus (private); Juliet (T.R.C); Black Eagle (T.R.C); Crest (private). Four-oars— Lurline (U.R.C) ; Tamesis (CRO.) ; Ms (CR.C) ; Iris (H.R.C.) ; Kiwi (C.R.C.) : Syren (U.R.C) ; Emu (T.R.C) ; Greyhound (T.R.C.) ; Express (U.R.C). The procession first rowed down stream in slow time, and then pulling quick, the boats reached Stanmore Road bridge, when each turned in its own water and pulled back again to the boat sheds. On returning the second time line was formed, with the Lurline in the centre, and the regulation aquatic salute, " peaked-oars," was given in good style, and was accompanied by a shot from the gun on shore, and a hearty cheer from the spectators. The boats returned to quarters, and prepared for a scratch fouroar race, four cups as prizes having been offered by Mr Cohn of the firm of Petersen and Co., High street. The manner in which the contest was arranged made it one of chance in the truest sense of the word. The four clubs each contributed one boat, and the previously selected captains picked their crews without regard to clubs; the boats also being apportioned by lot. The result was that in some of the boats there were representatives of two or more clubs, according as the captains induced men to join them. The boats entered were allotted as follows :— Kiwi : Davis 1, Stead 2, McAlpine 3, Rev. E. A. Lingard (stroke), Webb (cox). Emu : Murray I, Grierson 2, C' Dudley 3, F. Pavitt (stroke), J. Callender (cox). Syren : Andrews 1, A, Reese 2, P. Dawson 3, D. Reese (stroke), Mansell (cox). Iris : E. J. Dudley 1, R. Gain 2, Jameson 3, Digby (stroke), (cox). Being impoßsib'.e to start all the boats at once, it was decided to pull the race in heats, the second pair of boats to start one minute after the first, and the winners of each pair to pull a final heat. The Syren and Kiwi were apportioned by lot to first compete against each other, followed by the Emu and Iris. Of the first pair, the Kiwi won easily, passing the flag 22 seconds in advance; and of the latter, the Emu won by 10 seconds. The final heat was a splendid race from the first, and caused a large amount of excitement. The Syren was the favourite at long odds, but as the result proved the judgment of the public was at fault. The boats were very evenly matched, being the same length and weight, but the Syren had to every appearance the most muscular crew. A good start was effected by Mr Herdson, who officiated in that capacity, and for nearly half the distance not more than half a length intervened between the bows of the two boats. The Emu was however leading, and by dint of some of the pluckiest rowing we have Been for a long time contrived to gradually draw away until on passing the post she was leading by a full length clear. The crew were loudly cheered as both their style and pluck deserved to be, and the Syren crew were also rewarded for their game efforts to win the race. The distance we should say was about three-quarters of a mile, and considering that none of the men had been in training, or even practice, the time was remarkably good. Messrs R. J. S. Harman, J. H. Herdson, B. P. Crosbie, and N. G. Glassford, were conspicuous during the day for the energy they exhibited in managing the proceedings.